Dodgers hire McGwire as hitting coach

The Dodgers, as expected, hired Mark McGwire as their hitting coach today.

McGwire, who spent the past three seasons as the St. Louis Cardinals' hitting coach, apparently wanted to work closer to his home in Irvine.

"Mark has been able to translate his success as a big league hitter into his work as hitting coach with the Cardinals," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said in a statement. "He earned the respect of both veterans and young players while in St. Louis, and the offensive numbers the Cardinals produced under his tutelage speak for themselves.

"We're excited to have him join our coaching staff and anticipate great things from his work with our hitters in 2013 and beyond."

McGwire was celebrated during his career for his power hitting and finished with 583 home runs. But he also drew severe criticism when he refused to answer questions about steroid use during his playing career when called to appear at a congressional hearing in 2005.

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